What's happening
This bill sets a maximum contaminant level of 0.35 parts per billion for 1,4-Dioxane in public water and groundwater.
Why it matters
Establishes a legally enforceable limit for 1,4-Dioxane. , a likely human carcinogen, in both public drinking water and groundwater, meaning water utilities and treatment plants will need to monitor and potentially upgrade treatment methods to comply.
Allows for emergency rulemaking. , enabling rapid implementation of the new standard if the health commissioner finds an urgent threat to public health, which could accelerate protections in areas with contamination.
Requires coordination between public health and environmental agencies. , ensuring that both water supply safety and environmental contamination (including runoff and wastewater) are addressed under a unified standard.
May impact costs for municipalities, water suppliers, and industrial facilities. , as meeting these stricter limits could require new testing, reporting, and treatment technologies, potentially affecting water rates and operational budgets.
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Who cares
Public drinking water suppliers
The bill would require a maximum 1,4-Dioxane level of 0.35 parts per billion in public supplies of potable water.
Wastewater and water supply treatment plant operators
The bill would require a 0.35-parts-per-billion standard for 1,4-Dioxane in groundwater and runoff water from these plants.
State health and environmental conservation departments
They would establish and implement the standards as soon as practicable, with emergency rules available if deemed necessary to protect public health.
Residents served by public water supplies
The bill would set a specific limit on 1,4-Dioxane in their drinking water.
Headline styles
Limit 1,4-Dioxane in Water
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
149
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. PALUMBO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law and the environmental conservation law, in relation to 1,4-Dioxane levels
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 1100-b to read as follows:
§ 1100-b. 1,4-Dioxane. 1. The commissioner shall establish a maximum contaminant level of 0.35 parts per billion for the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in public supplies of potable water.
2. Such standard for 1,4-Dioxane shall be implemented in accordance with department regulations and the state administrative procedure act and be completed as soon as practicable, including implementation by emergency rule if determined by the commissioner as necessary to protect public health.
§ 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 17-0307 to read as follows: § 17-0307. 1,4-Dioxane.
1. The department, in consultation with the department of health, shall establish a maximum contaminant level of 0.35 parts per billion for the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in ground water and runoff water from a wastewater treatment plant or water supply treatment plant.
2. Such standard for 1,4-Dioxane shall be implemented in accordance with department regulations and the state administrative procedure act and be completed as soon as practicable, including implementation by emergency rule if determined by the commissioner as necessary to protect public health.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00625-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law and the environmental conservation law, in relation to 1,4-Dioxane levels
Purpose
To establish a maximum containment level of 0.35 parts per billion for the presence of 1,4-Dioxane level in public supplies of potable water, ground water and runoff water from a wastewater or water supply treat- ment plant.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The commissioner shall establish a maximum contaminant level of 0.35 parts per billion for the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in public supplies of potable water. Such standard for 1,4-Dioxane shall be imple- mented in accordance with department regulations and the state adminis- trative procedure act and be completed as soon as practicable, including implementation by emergency rule if determined by the commissioner as necessary to protect public health.
Section 2. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 17-307 to read as follows: The department, in consultation with the department of health shall establish a maximum contaminant level of 0.35 parts per billion for the presence of 1,4-Dioxane in ground water and runoff water from a wastewater treatment plant or water supply treatment plant. Such standard for I,4-Dioxane shall be implemented in accordance with department regulations and the state administrative procedure act and completed as soon as practicable, including implemen- tation by emergency rule if determined by the commissioner as necessary to protect public health.
Justification
The Environmental Protection Agency has determined 1,4-Dioxane to be a probable human carcinogen but currently neither the federal government nor New York state have outlined maximum levels for 1,4Dioxane across all types of water. 1,4-Dioxane is highly soluble in water causing wide- spread issues with ground and runoff water that are felt far from the source of the contamination. .
Legislative history
2024 S.3149; 2022 S.4712/A.3541; 2020 A.3583; 2018 A.11325
Fiscal implications
TBD
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.